Sash-style telemetry pouch

ABSTRACT

A telemetry pouch ( 12 ) with sash ( 10 ) is provided for maintaining a telemetry unit ( 30 ) adjacent to a patient ( 8 ). Telemetry unit ( 30 ) is attached to patient ( 8 ) when sash ( 10 ) is threaded through the arm, over a patient&#39;s head, coming to rest comfortably on the shoulder. The pouch ( 12 ) includes a fold ( 20 ) to secure the telemetry unit. A slit ( 16 ) at the top of the pouch ( 12 ) accommodates the cables of the telemetry unit ( 30 ) but also allows easy accessibility. The sash style telemetry pouch ( 10, 12 ) can be worn above or beneath clothing when made of the natural rubber latex free material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/872,742, filed2006 Nov. 30 by the present Inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to medical apparatus, more specifically to apouch-like apparatus which supports and attaches a telemetry unit or thelike to a patient with a sash.

2. Background of the Invention

Telemetry monitoring has become widely used in the care of patients suchas coronary and rehabilitating patients. Most hospitals now have theequipment to continuously monitor the condition of a patient by portableindividual telemetry units with a centralized receiving and recordingsystem.

Several types of telemetry pouches have been developed with attachmentsto secure a telemetry unit to a patient. One type of telemetry pouchattaches to a patients clothing or gown with a large pin. Patients onrehabilitation units are encouraged to wear their own clothing, and theweight of the telemetry unit pulls and creates holes at the points ofinsertion.

Other types of telemetry pouches have been developed to attach atelemetry unit to a patient consisting of a pouch made of plastic orfabric or a combination thereof with a thin band of fabric or stringconnected at the top that loops or ties around a patient's neck. Thismethod of attachment has shortcomings. The band or cord wedges in to thepatients neck from the weight of the telemetry unit becoming quiteuncomfortable with prolonged use. Another disadvantage to this style oftelemetry pouch, is with any bending over the patient is at risk of themonitor striking the face. There have been attempts to alleviate thisproblem by adding an additional cord at the base of one side of thepouch which encircles the patient around their back and fastens to theother side of the pouch. Disadvantages are, besides being complicatedand more costly with increased fasteners, most of the time the patientis unable to manipulate this themselves decreasing independence.

Several styles of telemetry pouches are comprised of plastic. Some arehard plastic, and some similar to a plastic ZIPLOC® brand freezer bag.Plastic pouches do not allow air to permeate the bag and cool thetelemetry unit, the pouch can become quite hot and uncomfortableespecially when worn next to the skin.

Telemetry pouches and their attachments are constructed from differingmaterials, increasing a patient's risk of hypersensitivities andallergic reactions.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are that ofcomfort, simplicity, patient independence and normalcy, durable,disposable, cost effective and can be latex free.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention presents a medical telemetry pouch and attachmentsash that eliminates or substantially reduces the shortcomings of theprior art telemetry pouches. The present invention provides a telemetrypouch for supporting and attaching a telemetry unit to a patient whileproviding freedom of movement. Securing the unit is provided by aflap/fold sewn into the design of the pouch with a slit accommodatingthe cables. The pouch may be formed with a natural rubber latex freematerial allowing said unit to breathe and remain cool. Said materialalso protects the monitor from moisture and perspiration and the patientfrom skin irritants when worn under the clothing when telemetrymonitoring is preferred discrete.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a telemetrypouch is provided which can receive various types of telemetry units andallow easy access to view and access batteries. The pouch is designedfor independent application and access, and constructed from nonabrasive durable materials in an economical manner to allow the pouch tobe disposable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages willbe apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the telemetry pouchof the present invention shown attached to the patient in a frontposition

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the telemetry pouch of FIG. 1 shownattached to the patient from the back

FIG. 3 shows the components before the seams and folds

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d shows pouch before and after the creation ofa button hole like slit and the securing fold with reinforcing seams

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d shows placement of pouch on the sash beforethe connecting seam at the base of the sash and after the connectingseam at the base of the pouch

FIG. 6 shows connecting seam around the pouch, forming the opening atthe top connecting it to the sash and the finishing seam around theedges

FIG. 7 shows the connecting seam at the base of the sash

FIG. 8 shows the sash style telemetry pouch and its components

DRAWINGS Reference Numerals

-   8 patient-   10 sash-   12 pouch-   14 opening-   16 slit-   18 cables-   22 connecting seam—sash-   24 connecting seam—pouch-   28 midline-   30 telemetry unit-   32 finishing seam-   26 reinforcing seam-   20 securing fold

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages arebest understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the variousdrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, telemetry pouch 12 connects to patient 8with sash 10 by threading sash 10 through the arm, over the head comingto rest on patient 8 shoulder. Telemetry unit 30 slides into the opening14 of pouch 12 and is secured by the securing fold/flap 20 that has anaccommodating slit 16 for the cables 18 of the telemetry unit 30.

Sash-style telemetry pouch may be worn above or beneath the clothing. Inthe preferred embodiment it will be constructed from a natural rubberlatex free material available from Kimberly Clark.

Referring to FIG. 3, sash 10 approximately 60″×6″ size small and 84″×6″size large back wall of pouch 12 12″×6″ before the folds and seams.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d front wall of pouch 12,measure 3″ down from top and center, chalk mark a 2″ vertical line, sewa button hole to create the slit 16 which will accommodate the cables 18turn top 3″ inward to form the securing fold 20, from both top cornersmeasure ¾″ inward, sew a ¾ horizontal reinforcing seam 26.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d, fold sash 10 in half todetermine midline 28 and reopen, center pouch 12 from top to bottom andleft to right, chalk mark on sash 10 at base of pouch 12, lay pouch 12right side to right side of sash 10, sew a connecting seam 24

Referring to FIG. 6 fold edges of sash 10 and pouch 12 inward ½″ on bothsides, sew finishing seams 32 creating also the connecting seams 24

Referring to FIG. 7 fold sash 10 inside out, right side to right side,matching the ends and sew a connecting seam 24 at a 45 degree angle atthe base of the sash 10, fold right side out

Referring to FIG. 8 “Sash-Style Telemetry Pouch” showing it's components

To use the pouch 12, telemetry unit 30 is inserted into the top opening14. Most telemetry units have cables that disconnect, allowingconnection of the cables into the telemetry unit after they have beeninserted through the slit 16, securing the telemetry unit under thecreated flap or securing fold 20 but still allows easy access forreadings and battery changes. Sash 10 with pouch 12 can be secured topatient 8 before or after the insertion of the telemetry unit. Mostpatients are able to don/doff the sash-style telemetry pouchindependently.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. For example, the sash and pouch can be made fromvarious materials, and dimensions may be altered to accommodate aspecific medical apparatus, and reinforcing and finishing seams may notbe deemed necessary.

1. A medical apparatus which supports and attaches a telemetry unit orthe like to a patient or individual over the shoulder, comprising: (a) apiece of material of sufficient size to accommodate the length of aperson from shoulder to waist (b) another piece of material ofsufficient size to accommodate the telemetry unit or the like
 2. Amethod of attaching a telemetry unit or the like to a person, by: (a)providing a comfortable over the shoulder application (b) providingsecure but also easy access to said telemetry unit
 2. A means ofallowing telemetry monitoring to remain continuous, by: (a) Allowingremovability of a telemetry unit for personal hygiene (b) Allowing easyaccess to said unit for readings and battery changes